Automatic signaling apparatus



E. PETERS AUTOMATIC SIGNALING APPARATUS Filed June 15, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 @ca MD, 1935.

Dec. M1), 1935. E, PETERS AUTOMATIC SIGNALING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 15, 1953 I fl W 7 1 n M w M M WWAZKMWW M m w w i I m w 2 "r A1. 3

Edward Eieks Patented Dec. 10, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

One particular object is to provide a novel construction wherein the signals are operable through the agency of compressed air and under control of valves operated by depression of the rails through travel of the rolling stock thereover.

Another object is to provide a system wherein the signals may be operated intermittently or practically continuously as desired and by means arranged at any appropriate distance apart.

It is also aimed to provide novel movable signal elements, preferably a pair having contrasting colors being used simultaneously to better attract attention.

It is also aimed to provide a novel construction including an audible signal furnishing a means of escape for the compressed air.

Various additional objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the description following taken in connection with accompanying drawings illustrating an operative embodiment.

In said drawings:-

Figure 1 is a fragmentary view in perspective illustrating the invention,

Figure 2 is a side view, partly broken away, illustrating a portion of the track,

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 3-3 ofv Figure 2,

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional View through one of the control valve devices,

Figure 5 is a detail view showing the mounting of one of said control valves,

Figure 6 is an enlarged front elevation of one of the signal arms,

Figure '7 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 'l--'! of Figure 6,

Figure 8 is a cross sectional View taken on the line 88 of Figure 6,

Figure 9 is a front elevation partly broken away showing the vertically disposed signal member,

Figure 10 is a cross sectional view taken on the line li0 of Figure 9,

Figure 11 is a cross sectional View taken on the line llll of Figure 6, and

Figure 12 is a cross sectional view taken on the line I2-l2 of Figure 9.

In accordance with my invention, a signal post or the like i0 is disposed alongside of railway track l l as at a crossing or any other zone needing protection for pedestrians or vehicular trafllc. While I have used the term railroad, it is to be understood that the invention is equally applicable whether the engines or rolling stock are propelled by steam, electricity, internal combustion engines or otherwise. The signal post Iii is of the type which usually mounts a semaphore or the like.

The track H, shown as double tracks, may equally as well be a single track since the invention is applicable thereto. Such tracks comprise usual rails l2 and ties or sleepers l3 supporting them. At any desired distances or intervals along the tracks, on one or both sides, control valve devices generally designated it are disposed. 15 Such devices may be mounted in any suitable way as on concrete pedestals IS. The valve devices have casings It with flanges ll anchored to the pedestals 15 by bolts I 8. The casings i6 have chambers l9 therein in which operate plunger valve members 20. Stems 2! are integral with the valve members or heads and pass slidably through removable closure plugs 22 screw-threaded to casings at 23, maintaining washers 24 in engagement with ledges 25 therein 25 and. between which washers and plugs suitable packing 26 is interposed. Coil springs 2'! in the chambers I9 urge the valves 20 to the position shown in Figure 4, under normal conditions. The valves 20 control the release of compressed air from storage tanks 28 suitably arranged along the track and having conduits 29 leading from "the storage tanks to the post It and signals carried thereby. Such conduits 29 have the valve devices l4 connected therein at any suitable intervals. One of such devices may be arranged in conduit 29 for each track or any desired number thereof may be utilized, the effect being to give a continuous and extended operation of signals or intermittent operation of signals according to particular desires or needs. The valve stems 2| have heads 30. which are disposed directly under the rails H and practically in contact therewith so that under the depression of the rails as rolling stock passes thereover, the valves 20 will be depressed against the action of the springs 21, uncovering the ports 3! in the casings H3 at which the conduits 29 are connected, thus opening such ports and conduits permitting the compressed air to pass to the signals on the post I0. After the rolling stock has passed, the springs 21 restore the valves 20 to normal position cutting off the supply of compressed air as in Figure 4.

It will be realized that the valve devices l4, conduits 29 and any of the parts desired may be mounted in suitable casings or otherwise in order to have the requisite protection from rain, snow and the like.

Conduits 29 lead to a single conduit 32 disposed vertically of the post It! and which leads to a whistle or audible signal 33 mounted on the post. In addition, branches 34 and 35 lead therefrom to cylinders 36 and 37, respectively horizontally and vertically disposed on cross arms 38 and 39 of said post. On cross arm 38 a hollow skeleton frame 40 is secured which is open at opposite sides at 4|. Slidably disposed in the frame is a signal member 42 having lenses or bulls eyes 43 at opposite sides thereof, colored for instance red. Normally the bulls eyes can be seen only from in front of the post ID as they are oppositesolid portions of the cross arms but the signal member 42 is adapted to be projected so that the bulls eyes are visible at the openings 4|. In order that the signaling member 42 may operate freely, wheels 44 are journaled thereon, being connected to rods 45. The device 42 is also preferably open at the bottom so that the bulls eyes 43 may be illuminated from a concealed electric or other lamp 46 receiving its energy from any suitable source. Signal member 42 has a rod 41 extending therefrom into the cylinder 36 and having a piston 48 connected thereto, urged to a retracted position by an expansive spring 29 disposed in the cylinder. Thus it will be seen that when compressed air enters the cylinder 33 the signal member 42 will be projected to signaling position and that after the compressed air has been spent by operation of the Whistle 33, the spring 49 will return the signal member 42 to retracted position. The lamp 46 is preferably continuously illuminated.

The cross arm 39 carries a frame 50 similar to that shown at 40, the same, however, being vertically disposed. A signal member is vertically slidable in the frame 50, being designated 5| and open at the bottom so that lenses 52 carried thereby may be illuminated by a continuously illuminated electric lamp 53 and observed through an adjacent opening in the cross arm. The lenses 52 may be of any desired color, for instance, amber. Through the action of expansive springs 54, the signal member 5| is normally elevated or retracted into a non-signaling position behind a solid portion of the cross arm. However, the frame 55 has openings at opposite sides at 55 so that the lenses 52 may be viewed when the signal device is projected. The signal device 5| is con nected to a rod 56, having a piston 48 within the cylinder 31, like the previously mentioned piston 48, and a spring 49 also within the cylinder to urge retraction of the signal member 5| after the compressed air has dissipated through the whistle or audible signal 33.

It will be noted that the signal members 42 and 5| move in paths at right angles to each 5 other so as to produce a signal which is more apt to catch the eye and serve its purpose.

As previously stated, the signals may operate intermittently or practically continuously. To obtain the intermittent operation, one switch 30 10 is operated as the rolling stock passes thereover and supplies sufficient compressed air to operate and exhaust through the whistle 33 before the next switch is engaged by the rolling stock. Instead of the exhaust thus occurring completely 1:: between successive engagements of the switchi members M, such switch members may admit a limited amount of compressed air to give a continuous operation and not exhaust until the signals have continuously operated for the desired 3 period. i

Various changes may be resorted to provided they fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim as my invention: I5 1. A signal device of the class described includi ing a frame, a signal member operable therein, a cylinder, a piston in said cylinder, a rod connecting the piston and signal member, means for the discharge of compressed air into the cylinder against the piston to project the signal member, spring means in the cylinder engaging the piston to normally urge retraction of the signal member, said signal member being open at opposite sides thereof, lenses carried by the signal member, and a lamp to illuminate the lenses through said open sides in the projected position of the signal member, the frame being open to expose the lenses in the projected position of the signal member. 40

2. A signal device of the class described including a frame, a signal member slidable therein, a cylinder in longitudinal alinement with the frame,

a piston in said cylinder, a rod connecting the piston and signal member, means for the dis- 5 charge of compressed air into the cylinder against the piston to project the signal member, spring means in the cylinder engaging the piston to normally urge retraction of the signal member, illuminating means for the signal in projected position, said illuminating means being disposed within the frame out of the path of movement of said signal member, and roller means on the signal member engaging the frame to facilitate travel of the signaling member.

EDWARD PETERS. 

